Two senators plan to introduce a bill they say will expand U.S. sanctions against Chinese efforts to meddle in Hong Kong’s autonomy. The bill would impose sanctions on Chinese policymakers and entities and would introduce secondary sanctions against certain banks, said Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

The United Kingdom and Poland agreed to build a “major infrastructure hub” outside Warsaw that will boost the region’s international transportation and improve trade, the U.K. said in a May 21 press release. The U.K. said the project will benefit British businesses and Poland’s trade prospects by providing another avenue to connect with trade partners. “Poland is an ever more important trade partner for the UK and I’m delighted that … British firms’ experience and expertise can be at the heart of delivering this major boost to Poland’s trade and prosperity,” U.K. Minister for Exports Graham Stuart said in a statement.

The European Council will temporarily extend certain certificates and licenses relating to road, rail and water transport and will relax rules on charging ships for using port infrastructure, the EC said May 20. The measures (see 2005120030) aim to help those in the transportation sector that are struggling to meet “certain administrative formalities before the expiry of the relevant deadlines,” it said. The European Union will also suspend “periodic checks in the road, rail, inland navigation and shipping sectors” and will give EU ports the option to suspend, reduce or defer port-related fees issued between March 1, 2020, and Oct. 31, 2020. The measures are expected to take effect this week.

Thailand recently increased its import quota for fresh potato imports, creating opportunities for U.S. potato exporters, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released May 20. Thailand increased its quota from 52,000 metric tons to 58,400 metric tons for 2020 due to “insufficient supply” for further processing, the report said. The import window for potatoes for chip processing is July 1 to Dec. 31 annually.

South Korea recently updated its web portal used to register foreign food facilities that export to the South Korean market, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released May 19. The report contains links to the English-language version of the revised website and instructions for how to register. Registration is mandatory for import clearance, the USDA said, and must be renewed every two years.

Japan notified the World Trade Organization on May 11 that its revised quarantine pest list will take effect Nov. 11, 2020, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released May 20. The revision will impact quarantine requirements and phytosanitary measures for certain plant products, according to a WTO notification included in the report.

China is seeing “fast improvement” in its international air cargo capacity after taking measures to support cargo flights amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a May 21 report from Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency. Xinhua said China has simplified approvals for cargo flights, held additional “peak time for cargo flights at major airports” and encouraged airlines to use all aircraft, including passenger planes, for cargo transport. China is now operating 4,250 international cargo flights per week, the report said, which is a 215% increase “over the average weekly international cargo flight volume during last year.”

Cambodia recently lifted export restrictions for “all types” of masks, according to a May 19 KPMG alert. Exporters no longer are required to obtain permission from Cambodia’s health ministry before exporting masks, a restriction imposed as the country tried to maintain domestic supply. Cambodia also announced an update to its online system for a certificate of origin used for trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations market, effective June 1, the alert said.

The State Department approved a potential military sale to Taiwan worth $180 million, according to a May 20 press release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The sale includes 18 “Advanced Technology Heavy Weight Torpedoes” and other equipment. There are no prime contractors for the sale, which will be procured from U.S. Navy stocks.

Outsourcing wasn't about competitive advantage, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said during an interview with conservative lobbyist Matt Schlapp, in a video branded Conservative Political Action Conference/Live. He said that while the Trump administration believes in competitive advantage, classic economists “never thought of the notion they can create scale through economic nationalism and gain advantage over another country.”